Pele scored a thrilling come-from-behind win over Western Tigers, while Santos defeated a depleted Fruta Conquerors side to advance to the semi-finals of the Banks Premium Beer Cup 16-team knockout football competition in quarter-finals matches played Sunday evening at Tucville Playfield.
Pele scored a 5-4 win in a penalty shootout after the teams were locked 1-1 at the end of regulation and extra time, while five goals were scored in the second half in Santos’ 3-2 win over Conquerors who had two players sent off and another injured as they finish with game with only eight players.
The Pele/Western Tigers game produced much drama after the Tigers had dominated most of the encounter but wilted under pressure in the last 10 minutes of regular time and conceded a goal almost on the sound of the final whistle forcing the game into extra time and penalty kicks.
Tigers had taken the lead in the 49th minute following a skilful manoeuvre by Edison Gomes who slipped past two Pele defenders and hit home a beautiful shot past goalkeeper Shemroy Arthur.
The West Ruimveldt side dominated the first half and had only themselves to blame for not converting on at least four occasions.
They continued to apply pressure in the second half but ran out of steam in the latter stages of the match and Pele seized the initiative through some effective runs and free kicks by national midfield player Kanata Manning.
It was one of the testing free kicks that resulted in the equalizer in the 90th minute when Manning’s kick at the edge of the box on the left side found the head of Solomon Austin who made no mistake in finding the back of the net that caused a carnival from Pele supporters.
Extra time failed to produce another goal and in the ensuing penalty shootout Pele prevailed 5-4 with their captain Dirk Archer scoring the winning goal.
Santos defeated Fruta Conquerors 3-2 in extra time after Dwayne Jacobs scored the opening goal for Santos in the 50th minute.
Joel Lloyd equalized for Conquerors and then Dellon Williams sent his team into to lead in the 73rd before Michael James equalized for Santos forcing the match into extra time.
Conquerors found the going tough after two of their key players – goalkeeper Oswald Cornette and inspirational player Gerald Gittens received red.
Dwayne Mc Kinnon scored the winning goal in the 94th minute of play as Santos rebounded from their first round lackluster showing.
Marlan Cole, an executive of Conquerors disclosed that Hinds suffered a fracture rib but was not hospitalized.
The competition continues this evening with the other two quarter-final matches at Tucville Playfield.
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will clash with Sunburst Camptown in the first match at 18:00 hours to be followed by Alpha United against Uprising at 20:00 hours.
Cole, who is also General Secretary of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) disclosed that the semi-finals will now be played on Thursday instead of Friday, while the final and third place playoff will take place on Saturday instead of Sunday at the same venue.
The tournament is sponsored by local beverage giants Banks DIH Ltd. and organized by the GFA.
At stake in the competition is a first prize of $250,000 with the runner-up team securing $125,000, the third place side will take home $75,000 while fourth place will receive $50,000.
